In honor of Earth Day I want to share some of my favorite eco-friendly swaps that just happen to be good for your fertility, too.

Earth Day is a reminder that we are all connected–and so is our fertility. And that’s why I consider eco-friendly swaps to be one of the pillars of hormone health and balance.

Because eco friendly = fertility friendly. 

All those chemicals and pollution we are releasing into the air and the oceans isn’t just staying there–it ends up in our drinking water, in the soil our food grows in, and IN OUR BODIES.

We like to think about the natural world as somehow “separate” from the human world, but the problem with that world view is that we are connected. Everything is connected. 

What we do to the earth we do to ourselves.

It’s no secret that infertility is on the rise, and it’s not surprising given the way we are changing our bodies with exposure to toxins and chemicals.

And this isn’t just a women’s fertility issue: men’s sperm motility is dramatically affected by these same chemicals, toxins, and pollutants, too.

And this isn’t going to change unless WE do something about it.

Because there’s no reason to think that infertility will just go away–if anything it will get worse in future generations. And I don’t think infertility is something any of us would wish on anyone else–especially not our future children.

So let’s take a stand–for our collective fertility.

I challenge you to start shifting to more eco-friendly and fertility-friendly options in your life. Try making one change every month.

I know it feels like one person can’t possibly make a difference, but when you see how just driving less during this pandemic clears the skies in major cities, you can see how small actions on the part of many DOES make a difference.

Here are some of my ideas for eco-friendly swaps–that just happen to be good for your fertility, too 😉

1. Use a stainless or glass water bottle and ditch the plastic bottles.

Fertility bonus: no BPA or other chemicals found in plastics will be messing with your hormones, plus you’ll be keeping all those petrochemicals out of landfills.

2. Switch to eco-friendly makeup and skincare products.

Two of my favorite brands are Vapour Beauty and Primally Pure. Vapour is committed to ingredient purity that won’t mess with your hormones AND sustainability when it comes to their manufacturing and packaging. They even have a recycling program for empty makeup containers. Primally Pure uses organic and locally sourced ingredients that are safe for your skin and fertility and good for the environment.

3. Think reusables:

+ Get some reusable silverware to keep in your purse for times when plastic utensils are the only option. I have a bamboo set that’s super small and lightweight and great for travel or quick-dining options.

+Invest in reusable silicone “baggies” like these and ditch the Ziplocks. They’re super sturdy and work great for snacks.

+ Use cloth rags instead of paper towels. Old PJs, sheets, towels, and t shirts work great. Just cut them up and use them to soak up spills. Then just throw them in the wash with your laundry and you’re set.

+ Get a reusable coffee cup. Do you know how many paper cups Americans throw away every year? 50 BILLION! Yes, billion. That’s so many cups. Get a reuasbale mug and bring it with you. I have a stainless one is super nice and keeps my drink hot longer than paper would. Bonus–stainless keeps cold things cold too.

4. Buy organic produce and meat as much as possible.

Not only are you limiting your body’s chemical exposure from pesticides, but in choosing organic you’re also increasing demand for it, which means more and more farmers will cut back on the toxins we’re adding to the earth.

These are just a few examples of ways your daily actions can have an impact on the earth and on our fertility as a collective.

I challenge you to start seeing opportunities to be more fertility and eco-friendly. Being eco friendly is fertility friendly–you are having an impact on all of our fertility, and our future children’s fertility as well.

We need to work on improving Mother Earth’s fertility as well as our own–if she isn’t fertile, there’s no way we can be either. So take a stand–start to shift to reusable products, green cleaners and talk about it–share advice with your girlfriends, your family, your community. 

If you have any other eco-friendly tips, feel free to send them my way or tag @flourishfertility on instagram.

Together we can make a difference.

Wishing you a happy Earth Day!